Shoes that look better with age...

[spacecadet]

30 minutes ago, MJF9 said:

@spacecadet thanks - your message prompted me to do a lap of the block in them just now as I hadn't had chance to wear them. I gave them a blast of Nano Protector this morning to hopefully help them age gracefully given the challenges of the British climate. These boots look great with some wear - I'm just hoping it'll be reasonably even.

You're right - these are the 2045 last. I much prefer the shape of this last in this style. I spoke to Viberg directly, told them I had a pair of Oxfords in the 1035 that fit fine and they recommended the same size in the 2045.

Compared to the Oxfords, the Boondockers have more room in the toe box and I really like the extra space. Across the middle they're both slim - the Oxfords are at the comfort limit of snugness after 4 or 5 years of periodic wear; the Boondockers seem to have slightly more space (even with a thick sock) and so I'm pretty sure they'll be good with wear. The heal is definitely more fitted on the Boondocker and will need some breaking in but I'm sure it'll be fine and it does hold the foot well.

Overall I'm good with the initial fit. I have it on good authority that these wear in really well so hopefully they'll see some miles this spring and summer.  Does this match what you'd expect given your experiences with Viberg?

Good to hear the fit will work out for you. Since the 2045 is a Munson last it is wide in the toe region with a narrow heel to keep your foot secured in place.

One of the things I discovered with Viberg is that the overall length can vary depending on which last is being used. For example the 2030 last is longer than the 2045 or 2005 last for the same marked size. Therefore, sizing down in certain wider lasts is not recommended because there is no extra toe room to deal with like there is on the 2030. Unless someone is “sizing up” for the 2030 due to lack of width, the sizing should remain the same going from one last to another in order to obtain a proper fit. Viberg actually recommends doing this but I had taken some bad advice.

[volvo240thebest]

anyone heard of this fella before?

https://drfooters.com/

?

Custom made boots, handmade in Italy, many models done on a Munson last.

Intriguing.

Edited March 25, 2018 by volvo240thebest

[spacecadet]

On 3/25/2018 at 12:58 PM, volvo240thebest said:

anyone heard of this fella before?

https://drfooters.com/

?

Custom made boots, handmade in Italy, many models done on a Munson last.

Intriguing.

I’ve seen them on IG the past couple of years. Every time I’ve gone to their website I keep finding there isn’t anything on the site and it hasn’t been updated at all. 

[UkeNo]

On 3/23/2018 at 2:36 AM, Dr Feelgood said:

Gotz my new line up from Sagara...

Cordmaster boots in natural vegtan..double midsole n norwegian stormwelted.

 

@Dr Feelgood is that a separate piece of leather on the instep?

Edited March 30, 2018 by UkeNo

[ElTadashi]

Just got my Smokejumpers back from Brian the Bootmaker.

 

[Aries]

Very clean work.

[volvo240thebest]

On 27/3/2018 at 5:33 AM, spacecadet said:

I’ve seen them on IG the past couple of years. Every time I’ve gone to their website I keep finding there isn’t anything on the site and it hasn’t been updated at all. 

A friend who's very knowledgeable about leather stuff (he's a leather craftsman) pointed those out to me and said that the workmanship is really good, he saw them in person at a fair in Germany last weekend. Apparently the guy is also behind boots making for a very respected US clothes brand too

[Brenjay]

Had a local cobbler remove the old Christy soles on these Red Wings and add the leather mid sole, half soles, and heels.  Did a nice job and I'm very happy with them.

 

[spacecadet]

On 3/28/2018 at 12:02 AM, volvo240thebest said:

A friend who's very knowledgeable about leather stuff (he's a leather craftsman) pointed those out to me and said that the workmanship is really good, he saw them in person at a fair in Germany last weekend. Apparently the guy is also behind boots making for a very respected US clothes brand too

That’s good to hear. Everything I’ve seen on IG seems like it’s really good quality materials and craftsmanship. Respected US clothes brand huh? Now you have me wondering what it could be. What jumps to mind is that the boots remind me of Julian boots and I’ve heard he made boots for Mr Freedom and RRL.

[Aries]

@spacecadet first thing that jumped to my mind too.

[mrman]

RJB and Role Club

 

[Dr Feelgood]

On 27/3/2018 at 8:02 PM, UkeNo said:

@Dr Feelgood is that a separate piece of leather on the instep?

Yes sir @UkeNo

[spacecadet]

12 hours ago, mrman said:

RJB and Role Club

 

Brian sure makes beautiful boots. How is the comfort level/arch support? I’m asking because I read something on another forum a year or two, can’t remember where. Anyhow, someone said that everything was on point with their Role Clubs except that they were not their most comfortable pair of boots. Do you agree with this or not? I’m wondering if this should be a potential concern. It was a while ago and maybe Brian has improved the fit over time. BTW, I’m not talking about “sneaker” comfort or anything. I’m talking about all day walking type of support. FWIW my Vibergs are far more comfortable to me than a pair of Nikes if this makes sense.

[mlwdp]

If anybody here is looking for a nice boot jack, Clinch has one available to purchase from Wolf Pack with international shipping.

https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/wolfpack/item/clinch-bootsjack/

[mrman]

On 3/31/2018 at 8:49 PM, spacecadet said:

Brian sure makes beautiful boots. How is the comfort level/arch support? I’m asking because I read something on another forum a year or two, can’t remember where. Anyhow, someone said that everything was on point with their Role Clubs except that they were not their most comfortable pair of boots. Do you agree with this or not? I’m wondering if this should be a potential concern. It was a while ago and maybe Brian has improved the fit over time. BTW, I’m not talking about “sneaker” comfort or anything. I’m talking about all day walking type of support. FWIW my Vibergs are far more comfortable to me than a pair of Nikes if this makes sense.

Sorry it took this long to answer. They are very comfortable imo, the small gripe I have is that the shaft is quite narrow and it takes a bit of effort to get them on/off. On the other hand these are my only engineers, so I can't compare to other makers.

[Aries]

52 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

If anybody here is looking for a nice boot jack, Clinch has one available to purchase from Wolf Pack with international shipping.

https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/wolfpack/item/clinch-bootsjack/

I bought this directly from Clinch around 2 years back after going through a few crap jacks, and this is by far the best. Worth the extra.

[spacecadet]

4 hours ago, mrman said:

Sorry it took this long to answer. They are very comfortable imo, the small gripe I have is that the shaft is quite narrow and it takes a bit of effort to get them on/off. On the other hand these are my only engineers, so I can't compare to other makers.

No problem. Thanks for getting back to me.

[itschrisb]

On 3/28/2018 at 10:44 PM, Brenjay said:

Had a local cobbler remove the old Christy soles on these Red Wings and add the leather mid sole, half soles, and heels.  Did a nice job and I'm very happy with them.

 

I’m looking for something like this besides Red Wing who offers something similar?

[Critical Observer]

6 minutes ago, itschrisb said:

I’m looking for something like this besides Red Wing who offers something similar?

You mean a similar style of shoe? There should be plenty around, like Nick’s Manito Oxford, White’s Retro Oxford, Wesco JH Classic to name a few.

No idea why Americans call them oxfords, mind. 

Edited April 6, 2018 by Critical Observer

[i_denim]

Is Redwing the most affordable boot for a noob? I wear only sneakers though I have some boots from CAT, Timberland and Clarks. I am looking for something lightweight for summer in brown/beige to go with raw denim and Chambray shirts.

[Spiraltoy]

Personally I wouldn’t want to wear red wings in the summer. The most popular models are pretty far from light weight (although their weekender series might be an option if you really want red wing). I would suggest a classic with Clarks desert boots in beige suede instead. (Even though I guess these might rub som people in India the wrong way).

[i_denim]

21 minutes ago, Spiraltoy said:

Personally I wouldn’t want to wear red wings in the summer. The most popular models are pretty far from light weight (although their weekender series might be an option if you really want red wing). I would suggest a classic with Clarks desert boots in beige suede instead. (Even though I guess these might rub som people in India the wrong way).

Clark’s are way cheaper and easily available everywhere, I will take a look. 

Why would it rub people in India the wrong way?

Edited April 7, 2018 by i_denim

[Spiraltoy]

For me they (the boots) represent punks, mods and reggae (general British/Jamaican  music culture) but for the older Indian guard they might represent British colonialism, I don’t know.

 

Edited April 7, 2018 by Spiraltoy

[i_denim]

6 minutes ago, Spiraltoy said:

For me they (the boots) represent punks, mods and reggae (general British/Jamaican  music culture) but for the older Indian guard they might represent British colonialism, I don’t know.

 

 

Hahaha, I see what you mean. I no longer live in India so I guess I'm safe

Clarks desert boots are quite popular in the fashion circles in India, Middle East and a few places that I frequently visit in Europe. My brother's wife was wearing them the other day in Paris.

I think I will pick me a pair as the previous ones I had were from Levi's and are about to be retired.

Thanks bud.

[Critical Observer]

22 hours ago, Critical Observer said:

Nick’s Manito Oxford

I’m waiting for a pair of these to arrive, hoping they’ll serve me well as ”lightweight” (as in, 1kg+/shoe ) spring/summer kicks.

[Broark]

Anyone got tips for cleaning roughout boots? I just got a replacement pair of laces for my boondockers and I figured now is as good a time as ever to give them a deep clean. Over the years I’ve just brushed them regularly and that’s about it...

[Iron Horse]

On 4/6/2018 at 7:42 PM, Critical Observer said:

You mean a similar style of shoe? There should be plenty around, like Nick’s Manito Oxford, White’s Retro Oxford, Wesco JH Classic to name a few.

No idea why Americans call them oxfords, mind. 

Wiki says:

"Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after Balmoral Castle. However, the shoes were later named Oxfords after Oxford University. This shoe style did not appear in North America until the 1800s.^[3] In the United States, Oxfords are called "Bal-type" as opposed to "Blucher-type". In France, Oxfords are known as Richelieu."

Passive voice of course omits just who changed the name, though.

[Aries]

My (primitive) understanding is that an Oxford style hides the laces under leather, whilst the balmoral exposes the laces. The former is of course much dressier, and often paired with suits/tux.

[Critical Observer]

8 hours ago, Iron Horse said:

Wiki says:

"Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after Balmoral Castle. However, the shoes were later named Oxfords after Oxford University. This shoe style did not appear in North America until the 1800s.^[3] In the United States, Oxfords are called "Bal-type" as opposed to "Blucher-type". In France, Oxfords are known as Richelieu."

Passive voice of course omits just who changed the name, though.

A shoe like White’s Retro ”oxford” is actually called ”derby”, identifiable by the way the quarters are stitched on top of the vamp, while an actual oxford shoe looks very different, with quarters sewn under the vamp. 

White’s Retro ”oxford”, a derby shoe:

 

An actual oxford shoe:

”Balmoral” is an alternative way to call an oxford. 

[Iron Horse]

3 hours ago, Critical Observer said:

A shoe like White’s Retro ”oxford” is actually called ”derby”, identifiable by the way the quarters are stitched on top of the vamp, while an actual oxford shoe looks very different, with quarters sewn under the vamp. 

White’s Retro ”oxford”, a derby shoe:

 

 

An actual oxford shoe:

 

”Balmoral” is an alternative way to call an oxford. 

Thanks for that, I'm not much of a low-cut dress shoe guy. 

I need to carry this guide around in my pocket:

Edited April 14, 2018 by Iron Horse